Tag: wander

I am not a sunbather, I am not functional midday. I do not like the echoing vibrations of sunlight sweating off the pavement or needles of heat penetrating my pores and expelling the moisture from my organs. It takes a special surrounding to rouse me from 11am AC hibernation, like a garden alive with rushing trickling ponds and flowers reminding me of pasta shells & trumpets. Continue reading “photobook | sunken gardens, st. petersburg”→

Ambling within the Morikami pathway truly embodied the word amble. Relaxed. Unrushed. Beneath the intermittent sun-cloud dance so typical of Florida afternoons, I brushed past overhanging flower bushes, peeked through clusters of bamboo knocking against one another like hollow drums, clicked my camera when appropriate. Time was unhurried here, measured in footsteps and cycles of bright and shadow, the background music fountains and cicadas and the crunches of wild animals flitting or themselves meandering in the underbrush. Continue reading “photobook | fort lauderdale, pt 2: morikami museum & japanese gardens”→

Here in Denver none of my footfalls ended in me shattering my tailbone. I think residing in Sweden for six months, much of it in the brunt of winter, prepared me for snowy sidewalks and hidden clumps of ice and the stray zephyr to find some flaw in my bundled attire. I expected Denver’s 10-30 degree days to bite, but I expected deeper toothmarks. My extremities were likely the worst off. My socks ripped on day one, and I used them later not to protect my toes but to scrub scarlet hair dye off a pillowcase. Continue reading “city guide | denver, co.”→

“A run into 2017” is probably a more appropriate title, considering my preferred method of mobility this morning. Happy New Year to all, old readers and new, casual virtual passersby and lovely familiars. We made it to a new string of 365. I’m glad to be here. January hangs at my elbows and as I write a coffee keeps me company in a local Starbucks (yes, between craft shops I also frequent a couple of my favorite locations of this ubiquitous chain). A slow bustle hums into my ears: a thump of instrumentals, a barista calling a name, an older gentleman licking his finger & flipping the ear of a newspaper corner. Tranquil. Continue reading “a walk into 2017”→

Lakeland, 28 exits off Interstate 4 headed east – or sooner if you take the toll road. In my initial view, something of a pothole, a nondescript town mentioned on weather forecasts and correlating live cams overlooking Lake Mirror. Admittedly, when I wander Lakeland I don’t step far into shops or restaurants, though I have a few favorites where I have gone and know a few names in addition. Lakeland’s intrigue lies in the mindsets I tend to arrive with, and leave with, whenever I traverse the 45 minutes to get there. I seem to come to some conclusion about my life, whether it’s a simple daily change or an idea that gives me lengthy pause. Continue reading “a little lakeland wander”→

I and my sister are theoretically preparing for a visit to Seattle this winter, but in the meantime we both craved a mini-adventure to tide us over until the great expedition comes to fruition. One steamy July night, after a couple of beers and cheap storebought pizza, we pulled Savannah out of the hat as our choice. Away we went on July 27, pre-dawn, coffees in hand and bags stuffed in the trunk. Continue reading “explorations | savannah + jacksonville”→

A weekend barely satisfied my San Diego itch. Yet I felt amazed at all my sister & I accomplished over the short period we were together. Day one found us perusing the downtown district, specifically the Gaslamp & Seaport Village, tasting mimosas and huevos rancheros and biding time with coffee in our hands. We also spent an embarrassing amount of time in the little white Chevy rental recharging our phones and dabbling in bizarre conversations. As we do. Continue reading “explorations | san diego pt. 2: south park, north park & breweries”→

I needed this trip. Just as I’ve needed every single pause in my reality, when friends visit for a day or when I drive out to another city just to purge myself of the parasitic elements of my home region. Nothing like watching the wind blow over the wings of an airplane, and feeling eager to land amongst the lights below, to help reclaim some semblance of joy, even if the purity of the sentiment lasts only a weekend. Continue reading “explorations | san diego pt. 1: downtown”→